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Crystal River High School

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Biomedical Science

Biomedical Science

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) logo with atomic design and gear symbol.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) logo with atomic design and gear symbol.


Our Honors Biomedical Science pathway began at Crystal River High School in 2011 with the inaugural class graduating from CRHS in 2015 - with the class of 2025 marking our 10th year of graduates from this program. This rigorous four-course Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science program provides students with a relevant, project-based learning experience in which each course builds upon the previous while also exploring an entirely new branch of Biomedical Science. Throughout this program, students investigate various topics in the Biomedical Science professions such as: human anatomy and physiology, medicine, genetics, microbiology, biotechnology and public health as well as explore various other medical professional careers. 

 

While this pathway is focused on biomedical science, students planning on pursuing a career in 

 

Three students in gloves and goggles smile while working in a science lab. Two students use a micropipette during a lab experiment. Student carefully loads gel electrophoresis chamber during lab activity.


While this pathway is focused on biomedical science, students planning on pursuing a career in various other health and science fields can greatly benefit from the project-based nature of this course, the development of marketable job skills and laboratory techniques developed in this pathway; it is not restricted to only one career pathway. Throughout the course students often learn of new and exciting alternatives to careers they already had in mind which helps the student further develop their plan after high school.

The Biomedical Science pathway consists of a four-course sequence in which each course builds on skills and concepts from the preceding course.

These courses are:

  • Course # 8708110
    1 credit (Honors credit)

     

    Three high school students wearing gloves and safety goggles work together on a biology lab activity at a black lab table, using swabs and recording data on paper while laptops are open nearby. A student in a blue shirt and safety goggles performs a lab experiment involving various white substances in labeled beakers on a science lab counter, with a full skeleton model and a whiteboard visible in the background. Three students wearing safety goggles and gloves work independently at a lab bench, taking notes and using laptops as part of a classroom science experiment involving small glass containers and printed worksheets. Four students wearing blue gloves and safety goggles engage in a lab activity involving written instructions and laptop computers at a science lab station, with laboratory equipment and posters visible in the background.

     

    In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.

     

  • Course # 8708120
    1 credit (Honors credit)
    Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Science

    Three students examine a plastic human skull model during a classroom activity, with one student pointing at anatomical features while others take notes and review diagrams. Two students wearing safety goggles, blue gloves, and aprons examine dissected biological specimens on a dissection tray during a hands-on laboratory activity. Two students in navy blue scrubs smile and pose for the camera while holding a plastic human skull and femur model, seated at a lab bench with study materials in front of them. Two students wearing labeled cloth brain caps sit at desks in a classroom, playfully posing and pointing at their heads to demonstrate brain anatomy. A student in a blue hoodie labels parts of a small plastic human skeleton model during an anatomy lesson at a lab table, using sticky notes to identify bones and structures.

     

    Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis.
    Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Manikin®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.

     

  • Course # 8708130
    1 credit (Honors credit)
    Prerequisite: Human Body Systems

     

    Two students wearing gloves and safety goggles perform a gel electrophoresis experiment at a lab bench, carefully loading samples into wells of an agarose gel. Two male students wearing gloves and safety goggles work in a biomedical science lab; one is pipetting liquid into a microtube rack while the other reviews notes beside a laptop. Two students wearing gloves, aprons, and safety goggles handle petri dishes and inoculating loops during a microbiology experiment in a school lab setting. A female student wearing gloves and safety goggles smiles while holding a glowing petri dish under ultraviolet light in a darkened biomedical lab environment.

     

    Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. 


    **Students can earn college credit from Santa Fe College for successfully taking and passing the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), through Biotility and the University of Florida, during this course. 

    For more information about the BACE Exam, please visit their website by clicking here.

  • Course # 8708140
    1 credit (Honors credit)
    Prerequisite: Medical Interventions
     

    Three students wearing safety goggles, gloves, and aprons conduct experiments at lab benches, using test tubes and chemical reagents while recording observations. Two students stand in front of a projected presentation titled 'Get a Grip!' in a classroom, smiling after presenting their biomedical research project with graphs and data. A group of students stands around a table observing a detailed diorama project labeled 'R. Williams Hospital,' representing a model of a healthcare facility layout. Two students in a biomedical lab smile and hold up lab containers during a chemistry experiment, wearing gloves and goggles, with various lab materials and a laptop on the table.

     

    In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, designed as a capstone course, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experiences through clinical experiences in various medical fields. Students enrolled in this course will complete clinical experiences in the field consisting of various job-shadowing opportunities in a variety of medical settings.

     

    A group of students and faculty dressed in semi-formal attire pose indoors during an academic award ceremony, with several students holding certificates and wearing honor cords. High school seniors smile and pose for a group photo at an awards ceremony, proudly holding their certificates and wearing white honor cords to mark academic achievement.